Microcontroller Based Power Factor Correction, Harmonics Analysis, and Mitigation

The ever-growing need and usage of non-linear loads and power electronics switches in both domestic and industrial applications lead to significant deterioration of power quality. The power quality of the system is mainly dependent on power factor, harmonics generated due to non-linear loads, and pf correction apparatus. The poor power factor leads to a decrease in power quality and efficiency and results in high reactive power losses. The energy authorities often set a threshold to maintain certain power factors. If the threshold is not met, a penalty is issued. This paper mainly discusses the automatic switching of Capacitor banks, analyzing the harmonics due to Capacitor banks and a filter to reduce the current and voltage harmonics. The voltage and current harmonics are analyzed for a three-phase system and an LC oscillator is considered along the Capacitor bank part of the system. The paper also deals with a cloud system, which is used to store and monitor several data pertaining to the power system.